Although I try to make whatever charitable donations I am able to, there are many times when the cause is greater than my ability to support it, but it always seems that the need is now, now, now, with no mechanism for future contributions?

As we age, the wisdom of saving and preserving becomes more obvious, but with no kids or grand kids, the need to pass assets to future generations is not an issue for Jane and I, and bequests to worthy causes are always considered each time we revise our wills

So to the point: Is there (and if not why not and who should we nominate to get it started ?) a trust or charity set up for those of us who love San Pedro to leave a little something for the community we all so enjoy, in a way that our collective funding will have a greater effect than smaller individual contributions?

To remain separate from any political party or local government entity would seem imperative as would a revolving board of unpaid trustees and a grant process that matched a percentage of community or municipal funds for projects such as water treatment, garbage recycling, student scholarships for Belizeans to study in the US and return to serve their community and I'm sure a host of other good things.

How many of us have condos or houses that we would rather see help fund our little slice of heaven once we've gone as opposed to going to the nephews or nieces we've met 3 times who are just waiting for us to die? I know if there were units like that in a pool somewhere where the proceeds went to a trust, that would be the first place I'd look for a rental?

Anyone with any thoughts or ideas before the November trip post them here, or let me know and I'll forward them to President Otter who may have to delegate some responsibility in return for his fancy new title

If we can set up something before years end for a charitable deduction on 2008 taxes so much the better, but I'm up for a little seed money either way?

Not Rykat or Captain Jeff kind of money, but I'll call and bug them if we can get the ball rolling

It's rarely rocket science, it's usually just math: then again if you can't do the math.......

Great idea pug! Just remember that no good idea goes unpunished and I would get the full lowdown on potential difficulties of such a trust from Ernie. As H2O alludes, this has been attempted before with some success albeit with some pain as well.

I'll stay out of the private sector and not exert any control over this one

In the big picture, my dilemma is that were Jane and I to die tomorrow, between the accidental death clauses in our life insurance and liquidation of assets there would be several million to our beneficiaries, and I would have no wish for one individual or entity to receive all of it.

An administered trust or ongoing board that could distribute funds in conjunction with bequests from others would be far closer to my ultimate wishes, and could look at projects too big for individual contributions to take on..........or maybe just one big party weekend with unlimited Belikins and a Wet T shirt contest with serious prize money?

It's rarely rocket science, it's usually just math: then again if you can't do the math.......

I had considered that, but by the time we got done with arguing about the name, we'd have to argue about the location of the first meeting, then we 'd argue about when it should be, and by that time I'd probably already be dead!

Do you think she may be susceptible to my charms after all ?

She's yet to agree to any of my proposals, but perhaps she'll take one for the team

It's rarely rocket science, it's usually just math: then again if you can't do the math.......